Congregation stranded after flood waters surround church

The rains came in fast and heavy Sunday afternoon across South Mississippi catching many people by surprise. That includes the members of one Gulfport church.

When they arrived for services around 11:30 there was a light rain, but by the time they were headed home the parking lot had become a swimming pool. Members of First United Gospel Assembly Church had no clue their time in church would end up being a five to six hour ordeal.

The more than six and a half inches of rain that was dumped in South Mississippi caused some areas to flood and others like the church grounds to flood heavily.

"Well we were in service and we came out and it was flooded out here. From what I understand the weatherman. He said it rained like six inches in two hours or so something like that," Bishop Otis G. Rankin said.

Although no one was injured Rankin said his congregation's vehicles suffered as waist deep water climbed up to windows and inside some the cars.

"We've contacted, for years, the city about the drainage problem. So I don't know who to talk to at this time," Rankin said.

He said the only flooding that's been worse than this happened during Hurricane Katrina. This time, Rankin hopes someone will do something to get the water flowing properly instead of piling into the grounds of his church.

"Fix the drainage. Do something about it. I'm not sure what they can do about it," he said. "You can pan the area and see the frustration. In fact we're stuck here without food, without anything."

Church let out at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, but one member said six hours later the last few stranded members were finally getting a ride out. The church members said they didn't contact authorities because they knew they had family and friends and a few Good Samaritans to help them get everyone out safely.

August of 2011, Amy Tonguis made a frantic call to 911 after her husband, Benjamin Tonguis, found their 9-day-old in the freezer. Originally, police say Amy told investigators she must have done it. But, as questioning went on, police say the parents pointed the blame at each other.

August of 2011, Amy Tonguis made a frantic call to 911 after her husband, Benjamin Tonguis, found their 9-day-old in the freezer. Originally, police say Amy told investigators she must have done it. But, as questioning went on, police say the parents pointed the blame at each other.

The state Agriculture Commissioner said today that the LSU AgCenter expects to start cloning cannabis from larger “mother” plants in June to create medical marijuana. Dr. Mike Strain, who heads the agriculture and forestry department, said his agency had received $80,000 from an LSU vendor to begin harvesting tissue for the state’s medical marijuana operation. Medical marijuana is not funded in next year’s state budget, which starts on July 1st. So the de...More >>

The state Agriculture Commissioner said today that the LSU AgCenter expects to start cloning cannabis from larger “mother” plants in June to create medical marijuana. Dr. Mike Strain, who heads the agriculture and forestry department, said his agency had received $80,000 from an LSU vendor to begin harvesting tissue for the state’s medical marijuana operation. Medical marijuana is not funded in next year’s state budget, which starts on July 1st. So the de...More >>

It's been nearly a year since a young teacher at Lagrange High School was arrested under suspicion of inappropriately touching a student. Charges have since been rejected, but 32 year old Raymond Johnson says he’s still suffering the consequences. Johnson loved his job teaching at Lagrange High School. But then he was arrested after allegations of indecent behavior with a juvenile, which he says are not true. Johnson's life changed dramatically... "Last...

It's been nearly a year since a young teacher at Lagrange High School was arrested under suspicion of inappropriately touching a student. Charges have since been rejected, but 32 year old Raymond Johnson says he’s still suffering the consequences. Johnson loved his job teaching at Lagrange High School. But then he was arrested after allegations of indecent behavior with a juvenile, which he says are not true. Johnson's life changed dramatically... "Last...

The District attorney's office has released Amy Tonguis' 911 phone call, reporting that she found her baby in a freezer. Tristan Tonguis, a 9-day old baby, died from being in the freezer. Amy and Benjamin Tonguis, the baby's father, blamed each other for the death. To this day, the case remains unsolved. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.

The District attorney's office has released Amy Tonguis' 911 phone call, reporting that she found her baby in a freezer. Tristan Tonguis, a 9-day old baby, died from being in the freezer. Amy and Benjamin Tonguis, the baby's father, blamed each other for the death. To this day, the case remains unsolved. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.

One man living in south Lake Charles said he has concerns about a culvert near the Ham Reid Nelson Road Roundabout. Paul Theriot, who lives nearby, said since the roundabout opened he's seen at least five cars end up in his yard with flat tires. Theriot said he doesn't actually have a problem with the roundabout however. "When they go around the circle and go to straighten out, they're being distracted from either texting or the I-Phone and they're not paying attention and the...

One man living in south Lake Charles said he has concerns about a culvert near the Ham Reid Nelson Road Roundabout. Paul Theriot, who lives nearby, said since the roundabout opened he's seen at least five cars end up in his yard with flat tires. Theriot said he doesn't actually have a problem with the roundabout however. "When they go around the circle and go to straighten out, they're being distracted from either texting or the I-Phone and they're not paying attention and the...